Those of us in the industry like to think that children's museums are places where families come to learn and bond in a magical landscape of hands-on discovery. To some extent this is true. As a mother myself there are a number of reasons I visit children's museums - it depends on the day.

Some days I just want a place to let my child blow off some energy. Other days I'm looking for tools to help teach my son about the world around him. There are also those days I just need to be around people, other parents and other kids. My son, on the other hand, just wants to play with the trains. Please don't tell him that traditionally, museums are institutions of serious study and learning.

Your children's museum is at a critical point in its evolution. We've managed with your support to secure the bricks and mortar we need to move forward. How we continue to fill this space, what we become, what needs we meet, the tools we provide is largely up to you ... and us!

Central Wisconsin has an amazing opportunity to come together and create some magic - for our children, our families and our communities. What is it you want and need? What tools do you need to teach and raise your family? What kind of space is missing in your day-to-day life? Together we can set the standard for a new generation of children's museums.

When I take a moment to imagine what's possible, I see a place that widens my eyes, drops my jaw and engages my senses. Somewhere my child can't imagine leaving and learning is like chocolate cake for breakfast. Somewhere I can go to find support. Somewhere my child can meet others with similar interests. Somewhere I can go to find hope when another tragedy hits the airwaves. Somewhere that feels like home (if I lived in a magical castle and Willy Wonka was my interior decorator). But that's just me and this is not my museum, this is our museum.

So what's my point? My point is we need you. We need your imagination, your creativity, your values, your knowledge and your passion for creating a one-of-a-kind space for our children and ourselves. We need teachers and crafters and DIYers. We need hammers and paint and a microwave that doesn't smoke. We need dreamers and doers. We need your support.

Right now the Central Wisconsin Children's Museum is running its annual fundraising campaign, Be A Bud. It's important to remember that we're a mission-driven nonprofit. Our price of admission covers only a very small portion of what we need to survive. We've made some strides in our evolution, added some new installations, we're planning for a new puppet theater and enhancing our programs. It's a process, just starting and waiting for you to imagine, dream, build and support right alongside us.

The cliche is true: children are our future. But they're also our present. They make us belly laugh and see things we never noticed; they have wild ideas that someday just might work. We invest in our children because it is our responsibility but also because we love them so dearly and unconditionally. Strong children need strong families. Strong families need strong communities.

My dream is that the Central Wisconsin Children's Museum will be that place for us to come together, to laugh and learn, find hope and support, dream, imagine and make a little magic. Together we can do anything. No matter who you are, what you think you have to give, there is a place for you here. I look forward to meeting you. Please visit us at online at www.cwchildrensmuseum.org today.